WE ARE FALLING BEHIND

Worried Beckett warns UK racing may pay the price as France and Germany plan for earlier return

- DAVID YATES and PETER O'HEHIR

BRITISH racing faces a huge problem if it lags behind other nations in its resumption from the coronavirus pandemic, trainer Ralph Beckett claims.

French racing’s ruling body, France Galop, has pencilled a big-money card behind closed doors at Longchamp on May 11 for its return from Covid-19, while Germany’s Deutscher Galopp plans a comeback at Dortmund on Sunday.

And Ralph Beckett, who with colleague Mark Johnston called for British Horseracing Authority CEO Nick Rust (right) to step down in a leaked email to chair Annamarie Phelps, warned that Britain must adopt a similarly pro-active stance – or face the consequences.